And we have another CNA to add to our small and hopefully growing list of bloggers.

Old Folks Say The Darndest Things is a blog by Holly.

Here’s a post about the way of it:

Our residents see the issues with low staff to patient ratios. The staff sees it. Step outside during a smoke break after a new schedule comes out and you’ll hear all about it. Try cramming eight hours of patient care and general house duties into four, five or six hours. What ends up suffering? The facility as a whole. Staff can’t get simple things done, general cleaning, keeping up on the laundry, stocking supplies, tidying rooms. The building is starting to look a little shabby. I don’t have time to turn on the music in the main room, to sit and chat with a resident, listen fully to their concerns. I’m always rushing out the door to get another task on my huge daily checklist completed. Then patient care starts to suffer. The little things are let go. Teeth aren’t brushed thoroughly, bottoms don’t get washed the way they should, people aren’t rotated on a proper schedule.

Excellent write about how our typical day goes. Very true…and sadly, how it all effects the residents.
Make sure you go over and say hello to Holly and read her posts.

Tracy has started a CNA blog, where she shares personal reflections and antidotes about this work. Here’s a sample which brought a smile to my face:

Not a full staff!

Last night was my first experience working with a full staff. I didn’t know how to act. I still ended up helping out on all the halls, but I got to take a real dinner break for a change.

Go over and say hello and read some of Tracy’s posts and leave her some comments. And while you’re there, start your own blog through Blogger!